Vajrayogini

In his oral commentary on Vajrayogini the great non-sectarian master Jamyang Khentse Wangpo, whose words were recorded by the Gelugpa writer Ngawang Damcho Gyatso, writes:

What are the different divisions of Vajrayogini? There is the secret Vajrayogini; that is none other than the primordial base-of-all of all sentient beings, the clear light mind that has been pure from the beginning. In interdependence with that, there is there is the inner Vajrayogini [taking the form of] a short A, or in this system a VAM syllable, in the middle of a triangular [matrix of] channel-knots at the navel. In dependence on this there is the co-emergent sambhogakaya Vajrayogini who abides in the Akanishta heaven, arising as an appearance of the outer nirvana and samsara. [Further,] there are the field-born nirmanakaya [vajrayoginis] that abide in the twenty-four, thirty-two etc. sacred places of Jambudvipa. [Finally], all the women who abide in various countries and locations are the karma-born dakinis.

General Characteristics

Vajrayogini/Vajravarahi ranks first and most important among the dakinis. She is the "Sarva-buddha-dakini" the Dakini Who is the Essence of all Buddhas. Although there are a number of visual representations of Vajrayogini, certain attributes are common to all: She is mostly shown as young, naked, and standing in a desirous or dancing posture. She holds a blood-filled skull cup in one hand and a curved knife (kartr or dri-gug) in the other. Often she wears a garland of human skulls or severed heads; has a khatvanga staff leaning against her shoulder; her usually wild hair flowing down her neck and back; her face in a semi-wrathful expression. Her radiant red body is ablaze with the heat of yogic fire and surrounded by the flames of wisdom.

A Commentary on the Extensive Dedication Prayer of Vajrayogini

Melodious Drum to Dakini Land provides a verse-by-verse commentary on the extensive dedication prayer for Vajrayogini in the Naro Kachö tradition. The prayer itself was composed by Tsarchen Losal Gyatso, the enlightened sage of the Sakya lineage, while the commentary was composed by Yangchen Drupai Dorje. The commentary is both extraordinarily accessible and extremely lucid, revealing the entire paths of Vajrayogini’s eleven yogas of the generation stage and the central channel path of the completion stage. Through studying and assimilating the sublime contents of this remarkable text, the reader will be led through entire range of one of Tibet Buddhism’s most revered practices while being gently guided by the eloquence and rapturous display of these two authors’ deep devotion and realization of the “Venerable Mother of Dakini Land.”

Composed by Yangchen Drupai

Yangchen Drupai Dorje (1809–1887) was one of the foremost and highly revered Gelug lamas of his day. He was the heart-disciple of Ngulchu Dharmabhadra (1772–1851), who was himself one of the most influential and respected lamas of his time. The material in this book is restricted. This book may be read only by those who have received a complete initiation into any highest yoga tantra practice. In order to practice this material, it would be best if you have received a full initiation into either Guhyasamaja, Yamantaka, or Chakrasamvara.

Last Updated on Monday, 23 December 2013 15:35

NEW: Vajrayogini Practice and Commentary by Pabongkha Rinpoche

Wednesday, 02 November 2011 00:29

THE EXTREMELY SECRET DAKINI OF NAROPA:

Vajrayogini Practice and Commentary

The Extremely Secret Dakini of Naropa is the commentary to the practice of Vajrayogini in the Naro Kachö lineage composed by Kyabje Pabongkha as revealed to him directly by Vajrayogini herself. This text has become the basis for almost every subsequent Vajrayogini commentary in the Gelug tradition. Kyabje Pabongkha’s commentary is both very thorough in its presentation and deeply inspiring. It provides rich detail about all eleven yogas of the generation stage, the transference of consciousness, tsok offering, left-sided conduct and many other auxiliary practices, making it essential for practitioners of Vajrayogini. There is also a stunning explanation of the completion stage, providing many extraordinarily profound methods unique to the practice of Vajrayogini because of its relationship to the Six Yogas of Naropa.

The second half of the book contains several sadhanas for the practice of Vajrayogini, including the extensive, middling, and concise generation stage, the practice of Vajrayogini combined with six-session guru yoga, as well as two sadhanas on the transference of consciousness.

Pabongkha Dechen Nyingpo (1874-1941) was a towering figure in the twentieth-century Gelug tradition; he was the root lama of Trijang Rinpoche as well as most of the Gelug teachers of the following two generations. His writings fill eleven volumes, and his practice texts and commentaries are considered authoritative.

David Gonsalez/Losang Tsering has been practicing Buddhism for twenty-five years. He has completed many solitary retreats and has translated numerous sadhanas and texts. He served for many years as the personal translator and attendant for Gen Lobsang Chophel. He is the president of Dechen Ling, a nonprofit organization that works with the Tibetan community in exile to reestablish their monasteries and traditions.

Some of the resources are publicly accessible whereas the majority of the Vajrayogini practice material is made available only to qualified practitioners. In order to gain access to these materials you have to register. The registration process is explained at the end of this article.

Access Requirements

In order to read or view the materials offered on this site, and derive any benefit from it, one has to have received a Highest Yoga (Anuttara) Tantra initiation, such as Kalachakra, Guhyasamaja, Chakrasamvara, Hevajra, Yamantaka, Vajrayogini, etc. from a qualified Vajramaster in the Gelug and/or Sakya tradition.

Publicly Available Materials

There are quite a number of excellent books and publications on the subject. They are available either through the book trade or directly from the publisher. Some of the latter only sell or ship to initiates with the proper credentials. You find most of them listed in our Books section.